During Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands, Wasim Akram issued a clear warning about the comment: Babar Azam needed to step up or risk putting the team under pressure.
On paper, Pakistan were well placed – 50 runs needed from 53 balls with seven wickets in hand. It should have been straightforward. Instead, the team’s No. 4 batsman, Babar scored 15 off 18 balls before getting outand the pressure quickly shifted to the rest of the batting line-up.
Akram’s fears soon became reality. Pakistan dug themselves a big hole needing 29 runs from the last two overs. A late burst from Faheem Ashraf finally got them over the line.
Babar’s knock at No. 4 raised uncomfortable questions. Does Pakistan’s former captain still fit into the T20I squad? Apart from a dip in form, is it time for the team management to make a tough call on a player they have relied on for a long time?
Not material #4
To be clear: Babar Azam is not a No.4 batter. Among all the positions he has batted in T20Is, his average at No.4 is the lowest and his strike rate the second lowest – numbers that are hard to ignore. This naturally begs the question: can he move back into the top three, where he has traditionally done better?
This is not possible in the current setup of Pakistan. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are in excellent form at the top and there is no reason to break this partnership. What about No. 3? This would mean that Salman Agha made the trip – which seems unlikely. Recently promoted to the position, Agha has kept a firm hold on the position, scoring 309 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 167.02, figures he has never had before in his T20I career.
The conclusion is clear. Babar is not suited to the explosive demands of the T20 No.4 role. Sticking with him in the middle order only hurts the balance of the side. Pakistan may have to accept a harsh reality: Babar Azam does not fit in the current T20 playing XI.
Babar Azam at every position in T20Is
Position MatchesInningsRunsHighestAverage Hit Rate100s 50sOpens8787297312238.1 2130.57325 No. 3404013728642.87125.64013 No. 45513450*33.50114.5201 No. 51141414110000
Who will replace Babar?
If Pakistan decide to drop Babar Azam, the solution is simple: bring in Fakhar Zaman. Fakhar sits on the bench and offers the firepower Pakistan badly need at No. 4. While Babar has struggled in the role, Fakhar has done it, making him a much better fit for the middle order. He is Pakistan’s fourth highest run-scorer at No.4 behind Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez.
In 22 T20Is at No.4, Fakhar has scored 501 runs at an average of 25.05 and a strike rate of 150.45, with three fifties and a top score of 78. These numbers highlight his greatest strength: intent. His ability to score quickly makes him a more suitable choice than Babar in the middle order. Khawaja Nafay is another option, a consistent T20I batter with seven fifties who could add depth.
Pakistan got through the Netherlands but their problems with the bat were clearly exposed. Solutions are available, but they require bold calls. Establishing a middle order is not an option – it is a must if Pakistan are to seriously contend in the T20 World Cup.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 8, 2026